Obstetrician Columbia SC
Obstetrician
Many women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have healthy, successful pregnancies, which are still considered high-risk. Some of the risks that increase due to diabetes and pregnancy include pre-eclampsia, miscarriage, premature birth, congenital defects, stillbirth, neonatal death, and having a baby who will have diabetes.
Some diabetes symptoms such as blood glucose fluctuations and diabetic retinopathy may also become worse during pregnancy. You'll need to work closely with your health team, including your endocrinologist and OB/GYN to improve the outcome for you and your baby. In the meantime, here are seven things you need to know about pregnancy and diabetes.
1. Get a Physical Exam
If you're planning to become pregnant and have diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends getting a physical exam to catch any problems that may affect either your health or your baby's, such as hypertension, heart disease or kidney problems.
2. Get Your Diabetes under Control
It's essential to get your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible before conception, preferably at least three to six months in advance, advises the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). High blood glucose levels in early pregnancy are dangerous to your baby's development, and may even trigger a miscarriage.
Additionally, your doctor will advise you to create a stricter regimen for your insulin therapy - you'll have to increase your insulin injections and have your A1C levels tested more often. If you take oral medications for type 2 diabetes, you'll need to give them up and start insulin therapy. There is still no consensus on the safety of taking metformin (Glucophage®) during pregnancy...
